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en-MYHolders Chelsea to host Forest in FA Cup, possible non-league test for ArsenalChelsea will host Nottingham Forest and non-league sides could await Arsenal and Tottenham in an FA Cup draw that kept the big boys apart.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/holders-chelsea-host-forest-fa-cup-possible-non-league-test-arsenal
Holders Chelsea will begin their FA Cup defence with a home tie against Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal could face non-league opposition in the third round.
The Blues beat Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley in May thanks to an Eden Hazard penalty, in what proved to be Antonio Conte's last game as head coach.
Championship Forest were 4-2 winners over Arsenal in the third round last season and Unai Emery's men could have a venture into the unknown if Solihull Moors of the National League can overcome League One Blackpool in a second-round replay.
Premier League leaders Manchester City, who were knocked out by Wigan Athletic in the fifth round last season, entertain Rotherham United.
City's neighbours United are also at home to Championship strugglers in the form of Reading.
Liverpool will travel to Wolves in one of only two all-Premier League ties, with Bournemouth hosting Brighton and Hove Albion.
Tottenham, still seeking their first trophy under Mauricio Pochettino, face a trip to Merseyside against either Southport of the National League North or League Two Tranmere Rovers.
Ties will take place between January 4-7.
We're LIVE with the #EmiratesFACup Third Round draw! https://t.co/U9XFAGOAqJ
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 3, 2018
FA Cup third round – draw in full
Bolton Wanderers v Walsall or Sunderland
Millwall v Hull City
Gillingham v Cardiff City
Brentford v Oxford United
Sheffield Wednesday v Luton Town
Manchester United v Reading
Everton v Lincoln City
Tranmere Rovers or Southport v Tottenham
Preston North End v Doncaster Rovers
Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace v Grimsby Town
Derby County v Southampton
Accrington Stanley v Ipswich Town
Bristol City v Huddersfield Town
Wrexham or Newport County v Leicester City
Fulham v Oldham Athletic
Shrewsbury Town v Stoke City
Solihull Moors or Blackpool v Arsenal
Manchester City v Rotherham United
Bournemouth v Brighton and Hove Albion
West Ham v Birmingham City
Woking v Watford
Burnley v Barnsley
QPR v Leeds United
Sheffield United v Barnet
Norwich City v Portsmouth
Guiseley or Fleetwood v AFC Wimbledon
West Brom v Wigan Athletic
Middlesbrough v Peterborough United or Bradford City
Wolves v Liverpool
Aston Villa v Swansea City
news_articleMon, 03 Dec 2018 20:31:01 +0000Anonymous100095863 at https://www.fourfourtwo.com12 thrilling teenagers aiming to own the League Cup in 2018/19Englands much-maligned cup competition has its knockers, but its often allowed us first glimpses of rising stars taking their first steps at a higher level. Allow the experts at YouthHawk to fill you in on the class of 2018...Youth Hawkhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/12-thrilling-teenagers-aiming-own-league-cup-201819
One-hundred-and-seventy days after Manchester City cruised to victory over Arsenal in the 2018 final, the League Cup returns with 68 teams in action as the first round gets under way.With so much at stake in the promotion and relegation battlegroundsfrom League Two up to the Premier League, managers up and down the country will be shuffling their selection packs and utilising the full depth of their squads. For a host of youngsters, this could be a rare moment to shine…Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)Could 2018/19 be the breakthrough season for England’s U17 World Cup winners? Morgan Gibbs-White made a Premier League debut at the weekend for Wolves, while Phil Foden looks set to remain part of Pep Guardiola’s plans at Manchester City.Meanwhile at Chelsea, another new manager and the prospect of a season in the Europa League could open the door for Hudson-Odoi, who was one of the best performers for the Blues in pre-season.With only Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard ahead of him in the pecking order, the 17-year-old will be eyeing the League Cup as a stage to showcase his talents following four appearances under Antonio Conte last term. A favourable draw and decent run in the competition for the 2017/18 semi-finalists should give the exciting forward plenty of minutes to make an impression.Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Aston Villa)With Villa short of striking options and pitted against League Two opposition in the form of Yeovil, circumstances appear to have fallen kindly for Hepburn-Murphy. The teenager turns 20 later this month and has already played half as many minutes in the Championship this season (29) than he did throughout 2017/18 (59).A slight but speedy frontman who knows where the back of the net is, Hepburn-Murphy has 24 goals in 35 appearances for Villa’s U23s and helped fire the youngsters to success in the Premier League Cup last term.Scott Hogan and Keinan Davis have been struggling with groin issues, and Steve Bruce should err on the side of caution and keep Jonathan Kodjia on the bench, so Hepburn-Murphy will sense scope for playing time up front and should get his first senior start at Huish Park.Albie Morgan (Charlton)Charlton’s academy has long been a conveyor belt of young talent, in spite of the madness which permeates The Valley. Their latest teenager stepped out from the shadows at the start of the second half against Shrewsbury on Saturday.Morgan became the first 2000-born player to represent the Addicks at first-team level and took little time to make his mark, playing his part in Karlan Grant’s stoppage-time winner as the hosts triumphed 2-1.It was the 18-year-old’s first involvement in senior football, but manager Lee Bowyer has had the attacking midfielder on his radar for some time and will be tempted to shuffle his selection in Milton Keynes after a mixed opening to the new League One campaign. As the storm clouds fail to blow over in south London, Bowyer’s job to find the silver linings becomes increasingly difficult – but this latest graduate of the Charlton youth set-up could bring energy and hope to a frustrated club.Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough)After a summer window that has shorn Tony Pulis of attacking options, Tavernier will be eyeing the League Cup as a springboard to show the manager his full range of capabilities. The wide forward started all three games in last season’s competition under Garry Monk, scoring in a last-16 defeat to Bournemouth, and has featured from the bench in both their opening Championship fixtures this term.A disappointing U19 European Championship for England was more positive for Tavernier on a personal note: the Leeds-born teenager featured throughout and scored against Ukraine.With Middlesbrough having already played three times in eight days at the start of the new season, Pulis is certain to rotate against Kevin Nolan’s Notts County – which should open the door for Tavernier to assert his attacking credentials.Arvin Appiah (Nottingham Forest)Jody Morris knows a thing or two about young players, having won every competition he was involved in during two years as manager of Chelsea’s U18s. But now operating as Derby’s assistant manager, it was a tricky winger from rivals Nottingham Forest who caught Morris’s eye as he watched England beat Italy in the U17 European Championship this summer.Appiah scored half a dozen goals for Forest’s U23s as they finished play-off runners-up last season, and finished the campaign as one of the key players for Steve Cooper’s young Lions, who were beaten in the semi-finals on penalties.Appiah, technically impressive with an ability to ghost past defenders and impact games in the final third, has made steady progress and doesn’t even turn 18 until January. He will hope that Aitor Karanka at least rewards him with a place on the bench in these early rounds.Josh Maja (Sunderland)As the Championship trap door opened under Sunderland last May, their demotion to the third tier for the first time in 30 years at least opened a window of opportunity for a talented crop of youngsters at the Stadium of Light.George Honeyman (born 1994), Lynden Gooch (’95), Bali Mumba (’01) and Josh Maja (’98) all started for Jack Ross’s side on the opening day of the League One season, and Maja has capitalised on successive starts with two goals in two games for the Black Cats.While instant promotion will be the primary aim this term on Wearside, the locals could do with some cheer and a run in the League Cup might renew some hope at the Stadium of Light. Maja may have played himself into rotation, such has been his early impact up front – particularly as the fixture schedulers have afforded his side a day’s less rest than their League One competitors. A first-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday awaits.Mallik Wilks (Doncaster, on loan from Leeds)A powerful left-footed forward who scored 16 goals for Leeds’s U18s two years ago, Wilks doesn’t turn 20 until December, but is starting to realise the potential that earned him an FA Cup debut for the Whites back in January 2017.A personal tragedy affected his development over loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Grimsby, but, with two goals in two games so far for nearby Doncaster, he looks the part.Wilks is only on loan until January, and a hot run of form before Christmas could give Marcelo Bielsa food for thought at Elland Road.Domingos Quina (Watford)Watford paid £1m for West Ham’s creative midfielder on deadline day, which looks a bargain at first glance – particularly coming less than a fortnight after Quina helped Portugal to the U19 European Championship title.The Hornets handed the youngster a four-year contract and the No.20 shirt; an indication of their plans to keep him around the first team set-up this season.Watford have a propensity to rotate and haven’t got beyond the second round since 2013, so the League Cup ought to be the ideal stage for Quina to showcase the dribbling prowess and fleet-footed poise that prompted Slaven Bilic to remark: “If he doesn’t make it, then which player will?”Tristan Abrahams (Exeter, on loan from Norwich)Kazaiah Sterling (Tottenham), Tyrese Campbell (Stoke City), Ike Ugbo (Chelsea), Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City): the players who scored more goals in the 2016/17 FA Youth Cup than Abrahams, then of Leyton Orient’s U18s. That the O’s didn’t even make it beyond the third round demonstrates how prolific Abrahams was that season, scoring six goals in three matches.Orient’s tumultuous 2016/17 campaign at first-team level saw them forced into fielding what amounted to their youth team for a number of matches en route to relegation from the Football League. Those youngsters were forced to grow up much quicker than planned, but the O’s weren’t to benefit hugely – their demise allowed bigger clubs to pluck the best and brightest prospects from east London.Forward Abrahams went to Norwich, spent last season with their U23s and finished as their leading scorer, netting nine times in all – four in the Premier League Cup. He’s back in League Two on loan at Exeter, and an opening-day strike in victory over Carlisle was a timely reminder that the 19-year-old has what it takes to shine in the professional game.Kane Wilson (Walsall, on loan from West Brom)Highly-rated full-back Wilson made his senior debut for West Brom as a 16-year-old at the start of the 2016/17 season, and has made steady if unspectacular progress since then.Still only just 18, he spent last term under the tutelage of Paul Tisdale at Exeter. He’ll spend the forthcoming campaign down the road from The Hawthorns at Walsall, and a pair of substitute appearances in the opening weeks of the campaign will have offered Saddlers fans a glimpse of the athleticism and maturity in his arsenal.Korrey Henry (Yeovil)Operating within one of the tightest budgets in the Football League, Yeovil are typically able to offer a clear and consistent pathway into professional football for younger, often less-heralded prospects. Former West Ham scholar Henry swapped the London Stadium for Huish Park this summer, signing a one-year deal and going straight into their first-team squad.Able to play as a forward or a central midfielder, he’s robust with a cultured touch, and accounted for a huge percentage of goals scored by the Hammers at U18 level over the last two years. The Glovers took a chance and, not for the first time, they could be handsomely rewarded.Phil Foden (Manchester City)The 18-year-old they call ‘Pep’s lad’ at City’s Etihad Campus will be hoping his decision to stick around pays dividends this season after just 329 senior minutes in 2017/18.But Guardiola knows a thing or two about developing young talent and will surely be pinpointing the domestic cup competitions as an opportunity for Foden to continue his steady rise to prominence.An impressive Community Shield performance can only have aided the midfielder’s cause, and the likelihood of him starring in the early rounds of the League Cup seems high – particularly after the way his technique and flair stood out against Chelsea at Wembley. Against more mediocre opponents, Foden could cause serious problems.featureTue, 14 Aug 2018 23:41:56 +0000vijhay100062684 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWhy the Premier League urgently needs a relegation play-offAs a dreary final weekend looms, Gary Parkinson explains how a relegation play-off would guarantee entertainment and competition to the wireGary Parkinsonhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/why-premier-league-urgently-needs-a-relegation-play
Thank God for Marcos Alonso’s face. But for Zanka’s clearance whacking the Spaniard in the mush and flying past Jonas Lossl to give Chelsea a draw against Huddersfield, the Premier League’s final day would be devoid of all the dramatic if-then reckoning that football needs.Had Chelsea lost to slip three points and 16 goals behind fourth-placed Liverpool, all of the important top-flight business would have been sorted – champions, top four, Europa trio and bottom three (barring a nine-goal swing). In a week when it emerged that the fixtures are, as many suspected, carefully calibrated to ensure there’s a top-eight clash every ‘matchday’ but none on the first or last weekends, it’s not the unpredictable climax demanded by televised football.But there is a way that the Premier League, and indeed other divisions, could all but ensure that the drama goes to the final episode. It’s been tried before, albeit in a half-arsed manner a generation ago. It’s the relegation play-offs.The case forAt that very phrase, at least half the readership will be up in arms (or at least in eyebrows). Surely such blatant carnivalling is below the game’s dignity? Well, plenty said the same about the introduction of the “promotion” play-offs, now a vital part of football’s calendar, keeping cameras and crowds interested long after automatic places would have been sealed off.Promotion is in quotes because when the play-offs were introduced in 1987, they were fought out between three would-be promoted teams and one heavily perspiring relegation candidate. Indeed, your reporter was present on the terrace as his team plunged into hitherto unplumbed depths of what was still a four-division Football League.For those attempting to dodge the drop, losing in the play-offs didn’t mean try again next year– it meant instant relegation. And for the two years in which higher-tier teams joined the bun-fight, five of the six (Sunderland, Bolton, Chelsea, Sheffield United and Rotherham) slipped through the booby-prize trap-door, with only Charlton staying up, as they always seemed to under Lennie Lawrence (below). From 1989 the system reverted to automatic relegation, with play-offs contested between four promotion-seekers. So there’s precedent for relegation play-offs, but they needn’t be mixed with the promotion shootouts –as they were in that quickly-amended '80s remix of the late 19th-century “test match” system, which pitted the Second Division champions against the top flight’s wooden-spooners.No, let’s live a little. Imagine a world in which we get to see four drop-dodgers slug it out for the status of stasis. Teams who’ve been watching each other’s results for weeks go head-to-head(-to-head) in an orgy of six-pointers multiplied by cup finals.Four to dropIt would require some logistics. With three losers (assuming a four-team play-off), we’d need four teams to drop, unless we abandon automatic relegation altogether – and there’s no need to get that silly. But there’s nothing wrong with a bit of churn. With the possible exception of Huddersfield’s slightly patronising fairytale, when did you last see a struggling team you didn’t support and think: “Well I’m glad they’ve stuck around to stink up the division again next year”? Is it particularly healthy that until last weekend, Oldham had been in the same tier since Tony Blair first became Prime Minister?It would also offer much more hope to teams marooned at the bottom of the table: instead of focusing on a distant fourth-bottom team, they’d merely be reeling in the nearest rival. Every season, lost causes could be saved, long after they’d be considered terminal in the staid old world of automatic-only relegation.Let’s consider this season. With the Premier League table as it is but under the play-off system, Darren Moore (below) hasn’t just leapfrogged Stoke but led West Brom out of the automatic relegation place; his in-form team now look set to take on Huddersfield – unless the Terriers drag in West Ham –for the right to face Southampton or Swansea (and the hotel jokes write themselves). In this alternative universe, nothing is yet decided down among the dead men.Similar things would happen down the divisions. Bolton’s Macron miracle (two goals after the 87th minute to come from behind and save themselves) would count for nothing, but they’d be shaping up to face Burton, Barnsley and freefalling Reading: Birmingham’s last-day win over Fulham truly would have been a relegation-avoider.In League One, Walsall and Wimbledon would have been involved down the wire. Just as the promotion play-offs give teams aspiration well into spring, so might an elongation of the drop zone keep them honest well after the clocks go forward. With fewer meaningless mid-table sides, fans would get better games, and those in the thick of the action would have less reason to fear their rivals’ opponents playing in flip-flops.League Two might be different:it’s hard to imagine the Football League clubs voting for four trapdoor places. Pity, as Barnet, Morecambe, Forest Green and Port Vale all finished within two points of each other (with Yeovil only a further point north) and would represent a fascinating four-way of old and new, north and south. But even a straight fight between Morecambe and Barnet would be one to watch: two teams fighting to stay in the Football League, the sort of thing which happens only rarely but would assume monumental importance.There will be those who object to the idea. There were those who objected to the promotion play-offs, not to mention the prohibition of the backpass, the introduction of substitutes and the implementation of the National Health Service.Change isn’t always good, but if it leads to more entertainment, value for money and #narrative, then we’re all winners– even those who had previously been forsaken as losers. We can’t always rely on Marcos Alonso’s face.New features you'd love on FourFourTwo.comfeatureFri, 11 May 2018 23:55:13 +0000Timothy Wee100029363 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comRanked! The matchday experience at all 92 English league stadiumsWhich ground has the best atmosphere? Amazing architecture? The perfect view?FFTs Chris Flanagan, who recently completed the full set, ranks every league ground based on his own personal visitsChris Flanaganhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/ranked-matchday-experience-all-92-english-league-stadiums
92. Coventry (Ricoh Arena)
In five words or less: A depressing experience
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Proximity to motorway
Worst feature: Often-soulless atmosphere in a virtually empty stadium - the move to a new ground just hasn't worked out, and it's hard not to feel for Coventry fans in that situation. Home end has been shut and used to house a giant Jimmy Hill banner, a reminder of what the club used to be
Quirk factor: 1/5
91. Newport (Rodney Parade)
In five words or less: Beach football, hooray!
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Old-school ground with character
Worst feature: Rugby is played there too, and the pitch struggles to deal with downpours. Most recent solution: bury the playing surface under gallons of sand, making passing impossible
Quirk factor: 4/5
90. Grimsby (Blundell Park)
In five words or less: Bring your thermals
Most recent visit: 2008/09
Best feature: Right next to the sea – perfect for pre-match coastal walk in the summer
Worst feature: Right next to the sea – absolutely freezing in winter
Quirk factor: 3/5
89. Crawley (Broadfield Stadium)
In five words or less: Standard League Two ground
Most recent visit: 2012/13
Best feature: Good access via car – it’s situated right by the A23
Worst feature: One stand looks more like a tent shipped in from The Great British Bake Off
Quirk factor: 3/5
88. Stevenage (Broadhall Way)
In five words or less: The Graham Westley Superdome
Most recent visit: 2010/11
Best feature: Handy parking within close reach of the ground
Worst feature: Westley’s presence on touchline for nine years, irritating visiting teams and fans in a variety of ways
Quirk factor: 2/5
87. Exeter (St James Park)
In five words or less: The other St James Park
Most recent visit: 2012/13
Best feature: The terraced houses behind one goal get a great view of the pitch
Worst feature: Said terraced houses are in danger of having their windows smashed by a wayward shot
Quirk factor: 3/5
86. Cambridge (Abbey Stadium)
In five words or less: The pitch is over there!
Most recent visit: 1999/2000
Best feature: Good atmosphere in the terraced home end
Worst feature: New away end bizarrely set back some distance from the pitch
Quirk factor: 2/5
85. Wimbledon (Kingsmeadow)
In five words or less: Homely, if not luxurious
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: It’s what estate agents would call ‘cosy’
Worst feature: Facilities are poor for League One, as is the view from the away terrace
Quirk factor: 3/5
84. Cheltenham (Whaddon Road)
In five words or less: Built on old kennels
Most recent visit: 2009/10
Best feature: Close to the town centre
Worst feature: No longer called the ‘World of Smile Stadium’ – leaving frowns on the faces of all football lovers
Quirk factor: 2/5
83. Hartlepool (Victoria Park)
In five words or less: Once bombed by a Zeppelin
Most recent visit: 2012/13
Best feature: Classic lower league away end
Worst feature: The stand and terrace down one side of the ground are showing their age
Quirk factor: 3/582. Scunthorpe (Glanford Park)
In five words or less: Archetypal League One ground
Most recent visit: 2010/11
Best feature: Easy access from the motorway
Worst feature: Quite basic
Quirk factor: 2/5
81. Rochdale (Spotland)
In five words or less: Nondescript
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature:Grandiosely renamed the Crown Oil Arena for sponsorship reasons (look, it amused us OK?)
Worst feature: Neither outstandingly modern, nor particularly unusual
Quirk factor: 1/5
80. Bury (Gigg Lane)
In five words or less: Standard lower league ground
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: The Neville Neville Stand, in honour of Gary and Phil’s dad, a former club stalwart
Worst feature: The main stand is starting to look dated
Quirk factor: 1/5
79. Swindon (County Ground)
In five words or less: Wiltshire’s finest (well, Wiltshire’s only)
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Now with added Sherwood (when he’s not banned)
Worst feature: Stand behind one goal is rarely used
Quirk factor: 2/5
78. Oldham (Boundary Park)
In five words or less: Ice Station Zebra
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: New stand finally built on one side of the ground, after some delays
Worst feature: On a hill and famously freezing in winter. It got its Ice Station nickname from former boss Joe Royle
Quirk factor: 2/5
77. Port Vale (Vale Park)
In five words or less: Too big
Most recent visit: 2010/11
Best feature: Holds almost 20,000
Worst feature: Crowds fill little more than a fifth of capacity these days
Quirk factor: 2/5
76. Blackpool (Bloomfield Road)
In five words or less: Nice when it’s not empty
Most recent visit: 2013/14
Best feature: Much improved after redevelopment. The stadium’s enclosed now, stopping the seaside wind blowing sand into fans’ faces
Worst feature: Atmosphere – caustic when protesting fans are there, quiet when they’re staying away
Quirk factor: 2/5
75. Millwall (The New Den)
In five words or less:Every stand’s the same
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Good views from the away end
Worst feature: Identikit stadium without the soul of the old Den
Quirk factor: 1/5
74. Wycombe (Adams Park)
In five words or less: One massive stand
Most recent visit: 2003/04
Best feature: The huge Frank Adams Stand
Worst feature: The other stands are minuscule in comparison
Quirk factor: 3/5
73. Southend (Roots Hall)
In five words or less: Tiny two-tiered stand
Most recent visit: 2007/08
Best feature: A contender for the world’s smallest two-tiered stand – plus the view from the flats behind it
Worst feature: Pitch sometimes isn’t the best. The long-serving groundsman was controversially sacked this season, hours after a match was postponed
Quirk factor: 3/5
72. Peterborough (London Road)
In five words or less: Not really that Posh
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: A man dressed as a rabbit, carrying a carrot around the pitch
Worst feature: Facilities in the main stand need modernising
Quirk factor: 2/5
71. Brentford (Griffin Park)
In five words or less: Pub on each corner
Most recent visit: 2008/09
Best feature: Unusual two-tier away end
Worst feature: Not the most modern of stadiums
Quirk factor: 3/5
70. Mansfield (Field Mill)
In five words or less: Half good, half eerie
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Impressive two-tiered stand on one side of the ground
Worst feature: Less impressive boarded-up stand on the other side of the ground, like some sort of bizarre haunted house
Quirk factor: 4/5
69. Doncaster (Keepmoat Stadium)
In five words or less: Better than Belle Vue
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Infinitely more modern than Doncaster’s old home
Worst feature: Further from the town centre
Quirk factor: 1/5
68. Gillingham (Priestfield)
In five words or less: Kent’s only league ground
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Modern two-tier main stand
Worst feature: Away fans often in temporary uncovered stand
Quirk factor: 3/5
67. Morecambe (Globe Arena)
In five words or less: Less luxurious than it sounds
Most recent visit: 2011/12
Best feature: Facilities are a big improvement on Christie Park
Worst feature: One side of the ground is a rather unimpressive open terrace
Quirk factor: 2/5
66. Carlisle (Brunton Park)
In five words or less: Sometimes underwater
Most recent visit: 2013/14
Best feature:The pre-match ritual of a man-sized fox carrying a fox-sized fox into the centre circle
Worst feature: Very vulnerable to floods. Carlisle had to switch games to Preston and Blackburn when the pitch was ruined in 2015
Quirk factor: 3/5
65. Luton (Kenilworth Road)
In five words or less: Weirdest turnstiles
Most recent visit: 2008/09
Best feature: Entrance to the away end is via turnstiles built underneath two terraced houses
Worst feature: One side of the ground has nothing but a row of soulless executive boxes
Quirk factor: 5/5
64. Plymouth (Home Park)
In five words or less: Almost finished
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Immaculately modern on three sides of the pitch, with good views
Worst feature: The incongruous main stand from the 1950s, which sits a distance from the pitch with view-obstructing pillars
Quirk factor: 3/5
63. Chesterfield (Proact Stadium)
In five words or less: Better than Saltergate
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: From the away end, watch the delivery lorries come and go at the nearby Tesco
Worst feature: Quite similar to Colchester and Shrewsbury
Quirk factor: 1/5
62. Barnsley (Oakwell)
In five words or less: Home of the outdoor toilets
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Three sides of the ground have been modernised hugely in recent years
Worst feature: The toilets behind the dilapidated main stand - basically a wall, with no roof
Quirk factor: 3/561. Shrewsbury (The New Meadow)
In five words or less: Smart but identikit
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Home team run out to Catch Us If You Can, despite battling relegation
Worst feature: Some distance from town centre
Quirk factor: 1/5
60. Crewe (Gresty Road)
In five words or less: Ice cream for everyone
Most recent visit: 2013/14
Best feature: Away fans housed in the brilliantly named Ice Cream Van Stand
Worst feature: Actual away facilities poor compared to those in the giant main stand
Quirk factor: 3/5
59. Colchester (Colchester Community Stadium)
In five words or less: Surprisingly decent
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: All four sides of the ground are pretty identical but smart. An upgrade on Layer Road, if lacking the same soul
Worst feature: Further from the town centre than the old ground
Quirk factor: 1/5
58. Oxford (Kassam Stadium)
In five words or less: Where’s the other stand?
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Three very nice stands
Worst feature: Sixteen years after it opened, there’s still nothing at one end apart from a car park
Quirk factor: 3/5
57. Accrington (Crown Ground)
In five words or less: Classic lower league ground
Most recent visit: 2013/14
Best feature: Renamed the Wham Stadium as part of a sponsorship deal. Sadly the the members’ bar hasn’t been renamed the Club Tropicana
Worst feature: No roof on the away end - not ideal for deepest Lancashire in winter
Quirk factor: 4/5
56. Notts County (Meadow Lane)
In five words or less: Deserves higher division football
Most recent visit: 2008/09
Best feature: Smart ground for League Two, holding almost 20,000
Worst feature: Crowds are closer to the 6,000 mark these days
Quirk factor: 2/5
55. Ipswich (Portman Road)
In five words or less: Mix of old and new
Most recent visit: 2004/05
Best feature: Statue of Sir Bobby Robson
Worst feature: Capacity increased unnecessarily during Premier League days
Quirk factor: 3/5
54. Leyton Orient (Brisbane Road)
In five words or less: Prime real estate
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Apartment blocks have been built in all four corners of the ground. Buy a flat there and you can watch the games for free, and get your Saturday afternoon hoovering done at the same time
Worst feature: Financial problems mean the programme has been reduced to a small pamplet in recent weeks
Quirk factor: 4/5
53. Northampton (Sixfields)
In five words or less: Only actually one field
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: If you can’t afford a ticket, just stand on the hill overlooking the ground
Worst feature: The stands all look a bit similar
Quirk factor: 1/5
52. Burton (Pirelli Stadium)
In five words or less: Nice for its size
Most recent visit: 2009/10
Best feature: Very smart when built in Burton’s Conference days
Worst feature: A little small for a club now in the Championship
Quirk factor: 2/5
51. Charlton (The Valley)
In five words or less: Championship standard ground
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Railway station very close to the ground
Worst feature: Expanding the ground when they were in the Premier League probably wasn’t worthwhile
Quirk factor: 2/5
50. Barnet (The Hive)
In five words or less: Improvisation at its finest
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: If the game’s a bit dull, you can pass the time watching the Jubilee Line tube trains go backwards and forwards behind one stand
Worst feature: The stadium’s quite nice considering the hurried nature of the move from Underhill and the need to improvise with temporary stands, but the adjacent sports centre means there’s only room for six rows in the main stand
Quirk factor: 4/5
49. Blackburn (Ewood Park)
In five words or less: House that Jack (Walker) built
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: The Final Countdown before kick-off
Worst feature: Crowds have diminished in recent years
Quirk factor: 2/5
48. Portsmouth (Fratton Park)
In five words or less: The bells, the bells…
Most recent visit: 2007/08
Best feature: John Westwood’s bell-ringing in the home end did create an atmosphere, even if it got a bit incessant
Worst feature: Most of the ground shows its age – although at least the away end has a roof these days
Quirk factor: 4/5
47. MK Dons (Stadium MK)
In five words or less: Status symbol, if not necessity
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Not one, not two, not three, but four video screens
Worst feature: Far too big for a club of MK Dons’ size
Quirk factor: 2/5
46. Bristol Rovers (Memorial Stadium)
In five words or less: Ragtag collection of stands
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Pitchside portable toilet – handy for one substitute who was bursting for a pee
Worst feature: A curious assortment of different stands, including two marquees and a stand that looks like it’s come straight from a racecourse
Quirk factor: 5/5
45. Crystal Palace (Selhurst Park)
In five words or less: Needs modernising
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Palace have actual ultras
Worst feature: The views in some areas of the ground are the poorest in the top flight
Quirk factor: 3/5
44. Rotherham (New York Stadium)
In five words or less: New York, New York
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Steep stands mean everyone’s close to the pitch
Worst feature: Name means every single newspaper match report contains some sort of New York joke
Quirk factor: 2/5
43. Preston (Deepdale)
In five words or less: The place for seat art
Most recent visit: 2013/14
Best feature: Pictures of Tom Finney, Bill Shankly and Alan Kelly built into the seats
Worst feature: Otherwise, the stands are giant one-tiered structures, and rather featureless
Quirk factor: 3/5
42. Fleetwood (Highbury)
In five words or less: Old-school ground
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Captain Pugwash goal music (yes, really)
Worst feature: One side of the ground is plain weird. In one half of the pitch, there’s no stand at all (there’s a social club instead). In the other half of the pitch there are two stands - a more modern stand built directly in front of a now derelict stand from their non-league days
Quirk factor: 5/5
41. Bristol City (Ashton Gate)
In five words or less: Much improved
Most recent visit: 2008/09
Best feature: Modernised in recent years
Worst feature: Capacity of 27,000 – rarely anywhere near full
Quirk factor: 2/5
40. West Ham (London Stadium)
In five words or less: Still bedding in
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Impressive venue, reasonable ticket prices
Worst feature: Seats far from the pitch, affecting the atmosphere
Quirk factor: 2/5
39. Yeovil (Huish Park)
In five words or less: Leafy Somerset away day
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Old-school terrace for away end
Worst feature: Steelwork behind away end suggests it’s still only half built, plus no roof
Quirk factor: 3/5
38. Huddersfield (John Smith’s Stadium)
In five words or less: Revolutionary when built
Most recent visit: 2012/13
Best feature: Architecturally interesting, with the curved roof
Worst feature: Atmosphere hasn’t always been stellar over the years
Quirk factor: 3/5
37. QPR (Loftus Road)
In five words or less: Cramped but cosy
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Every seat is close to the pitch
Worst feature: Some seriously restricted views in the worst seats in the away end
Quirk factor: 3/5
36. Nottingham Forest (City Ground)
In five words or less: Down by the river
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Modern two-tiered stands covering two-and-a-half sides of the ground
Worst feature: The ageing main stand
Quirk factor: 2/5
35. Cardiff (Cardiff City Stadium)
In five words or less: Weird red upper tier
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Cardiff fans probably won’t agree, but in a fairly identikit stadium the most interesting feature is the upper tier of red seats, installed by Vincent Tan and sticking out like a sore thumb in an otherwise entirely blue stadium
Worst feature: The name. Surely they could come up with something a bit more imaginative
Quirk factor: 3/5
34. Walsall (Bescot Stadium)
In five words or less: That stadium off the M6
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: A handy landmark for bored motorway drivers, it’s easily accessible and you can even watch the traffic go by if you sit in the upper tier of the home end
Worst feature: When the away end’s full, the view isn’t the best
Quirk factor: 3/5
33. Hull (KCOM Stadium)
In five words or less: Dual-purpose facility done well
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Huge improvement on Boothferry Park
Worst feature: Crowds have dipped because of discontent with owner
Quirk factor: 2/5
32. Wigan (DW Stadium)
In five words or less: Shrine to Dave Whelan
Most recent visit: 2013/14
Best feature: Whelan not only naming the stadium after himself but also having his own statue
Worst feature: Pitch is often ruined by rugby league
Quirk factor: 1/5
31. Burnley (Turf Moor)
In five words or less: Stereotypical northern ground
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: The view of the hills and the adjacent cricket ground from the main stand - no Match Of The Day highlights package is complete without cutaways of both
Worst feature: Facilities and view aren’t great in away end
Quirk factor: 4/5
30. Aston Villa (Villa Park)
In five words or less: Perfect for FA Cup semis
Most recent visit: 2011/12
Best feature: Capacity of almost 43,000
Worst feature: Atmosphere sometimes isn’t great. Away fans often some distance from pitch in upper tier
Quirk factor: 1/5
29. Reading (Madejski Stadium)
In five words or less: Archetypal new Championship ground
Most recent visit:2014/15
Best feature: Fully enclosed and modern
Worst feature: Three sides are one-tiered and characterless
Quirk factor: 1/5
28. Derby (Pride Park)
In five words or less: Improvement on Baseball Ground
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Sight lines are excellent – in stark contrast to the old away terrace at the Baseball Ground
Worst feature: Very similar design to Middlesbrough
Quirk factor: 1/5
27. Southampton (St Mary’s)
In five words or less: Identikit
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Enclosed, which aids the atmosphere
Worst feature: Very basic design. All four stands are the same
Quirk factor: 1/5
26. Swansea (Liberty Stadium)
In five words or less: Smart, if largely featureless
Most recent visit: 2011/12
Best feature: Modern facilities, big improvement on the Vetch
Worst feature: Weird transparent roof structure
Quirk factor: 1/5
25. Bolton (Macron Stadium)
In five words or less: The alien craft has landed
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature:Looks spectacular from the outside, particularly the space age floodlights
Worst feature: Six miles from Bolton town centre
Quirk factor: 3/5
24. Birmingham (St Andrew’s)
In five words or less: Atmospheric
Most recent visit: 2010/11
Best feature: The Tamperer as the teams come out
Worst feature: Curiously tiny top tier in away end
Quirk factor: 3/5
23. Sheffield Wednesday (Hillsborough)
In five words or less: Faded great
Most recent visit: 2012/13
Best feature: Capacity of almost 40,000
Worst feature: Despite its scale, the design is fairly basic and it’s often been well short of capacity in recent years
Quirk factor: 1/5
22. Wolves (Molineux)
In five words or less: Old gold everywhere
Most recent visit: 2012/13
Best feature: Atmosphere at big games
Worst feature: Extending one end looked a little hasty, given that Wolves promptly got relegated from the Premier League
Quirk factor: 2/5
21. Bournemouth (Dean Court)
In five words or less: Something different for Premier League
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Murals in the corners of the stadium depicting great moments in the club’s recent history
Worst feature: Small for a Premier League ground
Quirk factor: 3/520. Leeds (Elland Road)
In five words or less: Big, if not pretty
Most recent visit: 2013/14
Best feature: The scale of the place, and the atmosphere when full
Worst feature: Only one stand is anything close to modern
Quirk factor: 2/5
19. Watford (Vicarage Road)
In five words or less: Premier League ground with character
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Rickety main stand finally replaced with something better
Worst feature: Parking is severely limited
Quirk factor: 3/5
18. Everton (Goodison Park)
In five words or less: Famous ground on last legs
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: The aura of an old-school football ground
Worst feature: Outdated facilities, poor view from away section
Quirk factor: 3/5
17. Brighton (Amex Stadium)
In five words or less: Home to be proud of
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: A stunning improvement on the Goldstone and the Withdean
Worst feature: A long way out of Brighton
Quirk factor: 2/5
16. Tottenham (White Hart Lane)
In five words or less: End of an era
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Decent for atmosphere
Worst feature: Twenty-minute walk from the nearest Tube station
Quirk factor: 2/5
15. Fulham (Craven Cottage)
In five words or less: Quainter than quaint
Most recent visit: 2011/12
Best feature: Perfect for tourists keen to sample an old-fashioned English ground - it’s even got Ye Olde Cottage
Worst feature: Perhaps too touristy - lacks the vociferous atmosphere of some other stadiums
Quirk factor: 5/5
14. Middlesbrough (Riverside Stadium)
In five words or less: Comes with free transporter bridge
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Pigbag before kick-off
Worst feature: Very similar design to Derby
Quirk factor: 1/5
13. Norwich (Carrow Road)
In five words or less: Cuts the mustard
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Impressive attendances, even when the team have been struggling
Worst feature: Not enough people running on and hurling season tickets at managers these days – that’s always fun
Quirk factor: 1/5
12. Manchester City (Etihad Stadium)
In five words or less: Athletics transition can be done
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Was adapted well for football after hosting the Commonwealth Games
Worst feature: Lacks some of the character of Maine Road
Quirk factor: 3/5
11. Arsenal (Emirates Stadium)
In five words or less: English Benfica
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Padded seats, even in the away end
Worst feature: Ticket prices
Quirk factor: 2/5
10. Sunderland (Stadium of Light)
In five words or less: Like being on The Apprentice
Most recent visit: 2012/13
Best feature: Large and loud crowd when team’s doing well, and brought Prokofiev’s Dance Of The Knights to the masses long before The Apprentice launched on BBC - played deafeningly loud before kick-off
Worst feature: Away fans moved to the top tier, too far from the pitch
Quirk factor: 1/5
9. Leicester (King Power Stadium)
In five words or less: Where the magic happened
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Atmosphere can be electric
Worst feature: The actual design is basic – like Southampton but with blue seats
Quirk factor: 1/5
8. Chelsea (Stamford Bridge)
In five words or less: The Roman Colosseum
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Good atmosphere, the Liquidator pre-match
Worst feature: Tickets are expensive
Quirk factor: 2/5
7. Stoke (bet365 Stadium)
In five words or less: Hilltop fortress
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Loud. It’s topped the Premier League table for decibels in the past
Worst feature: On a hill, so there’s a serious wind chill
Quirk factor: 2/5
6. Newcastle (St James’ Park)
In five words or less: Dramatic, if vertigo-inducing
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: Good atmosphere, stunning views over Newcastle from the away section in top tier
Worst feature: Distant views of the pitch from said away section – plus the gruelling climb to get there, on a par with scaling Everest
Quirk factor: 3/55. Manchester United (Old Trafford)
In five words or less: Biggest club ground in England
Most recent visit: 2015/16
Best feature: Its sheer size and history – England’s equivalent of the Bernabeu
Worst feature: Atmosphere can be hit and miss
Quirk factor: 2/5
4. Liverpool (Anfield)
In five words or less: Temple of football
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature: The Kop singing You’ll Never Walk Alone pre-match
Worst feature: Sight lines in the away end aren’t great
Quirk factor: 3/5
3. Bradford (Valley Parade)
In five words or less: Passionate home fans
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Excellent atmosphere, three nice stands
Worst feature: Poor view from the old two-tiered stand behind one goal
Quirk factor: 3/5
2. Sheffield United (Bramall Lane)
In five words or less: A true football experience
Most recent visit: 2016/17
Best feature: Atmosphere, the Kop home stand, view from away end top tier
Worst feature: Away end is pretty old
Quirk factor: 2/5
1. West Brom (The Hawthorns)
In five words or less: Modern and atmospheric
Most recent visit: 2014/15
Best feature:Combines the best features of a Premier League football ground – modernised in the last 20 years to bring the facilities up to a good level, but the stadium still retains its own identity. The atmosphere can be electric on a good day: when the "boing boing" chant gets going, the home fans are literally bouncing. Away fans are well placed behind the goal, with good views, and the stadium is also handily located near the M5. More often than not, it's an enjoyable away day at a stadium that epitomises what English football is all about.
Worst feature:Sometimes the gate next to the away end is shut after the game, forcing visiting fans to make a long detour if they want to head in the direction of the motorway
Quirk factor: 2/5
New features every day on FourFourTwo.com
featureFri, 07 Apr 2017 04:14:11 +0000Kenneth Ho708262 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comQuiz! How many Football League clubs' nicknames can you recall? Some are obvious, others baffling - its time to test your knowledge of these sides secondary monikershttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/quiz-how-many-football-league-clubs-nicknames-can-you-recall
You know what they say about the brain, don't you? That's right: use it or lose it.
Thankfully, we're here to help. Today's task is to name as many of the 72 Football League clubs' nicknames as possible - with a strict time limit of 10 minutes.
Don't forget tweet us how you got on@FourFourTwo– we'll retweet your scores just as long as you don't give away any answers.
(Please note: Adblockers will stop you from seeing this quiz, so please turn them off for our site!)
More time-killing quizzes on FourFourTwo.com
featureThu, 23 Feb 2017 00:49:39 +0000aysha.ridzuan690986 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comQuiz! How many of the Football League's 72 managers can you name? Youre probably familiar with the Premier Leagues 20 bosses, but how many do you know further down the English football pyramid?https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/quiz-how-many-football-leagues-72-managers-can-you-name
Another day, another red-hot quiz here onFourFourTwo.com.
We want to know how many of the Football League's 72 managers you can name. It's not easy, this one.
You've got 15 minutes to list as many as you can, and then tell us how you fared@FourFourTwoon Twitter– we'll retweet your scores providing you don't give away the answers to everyone else.
(Please note: For the best experience, try this quiz on your mobile device. Meanwhile, adblockers will deny you from seeing it, and therefore joy. Adblockers are bad. Turn 'em off for our site, please!)
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featureFri, 10 Feb 2017 01:36:21 +0000aysha.ridzuan685497 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comInfographic: Is your club in its "rightful place"?Are your lot batting above or below their average? Mike Holden has crunched the numbers for the definitive answer...Mike Holdenhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/infographic-your-club-its-rightful-place
You can tell it’s August by the number of players, supporters and journalists using the phrase “rightful place” –usually when clubs are perceived to have spent time finishing somewhat below their hypothetical station
The only way to judge historical “rightfulness” is to check historical data. According to popular cultural reference tool the Bible, the human lifespan is “Three score and 10” –70 years, in more modern terms.
It therefore seems a suitable yardstick for a comparative analysis of the current 92 English league clubs based on their aggregate finishing position in post-war times – 70 seasons in total. This FFT study is purely objective: teams are scored on their aggregate finishing position from 1-92 across those 70 seasons (any season spent in non-league or non-existence ranks as 100). The lower a club's aggregate score, the better.
But life moves on and time is unforgiving. What happened last season is more relevant than what happened 20 years ago and what happened 20 years ago is more relevant than what happened 20 years before that. Then again, sample sizes also matter – for example, one league title success doesn’t mean Leicester are suddenly bigger than Liverpool.
So it’s only right we weight performance in accordance with generational cycles. Therefore, the scores are weighted in descending 20-year cycles. So scores since 1997 have a value of 1.0, between 1977 and 1996 the value is doubled, between 1957 and 1976 the value is trebled and the first decade after World War II (1947-1956) is multiplied by four.
There’s plenty to see in the accompanying graphics dotted through the piece, including where your boys "should" be. Having studied the findings in detail, here’s what FFT considered to be the most salient points raised…
Money preserves the status quo
Last season’s Premier League narrative centred on an ‘unprecedented’ level of unpredictability, but the historical top seven –Man United,Arsenal,Liverpool,Tottenham,Everton,ChelseaandMan City– all finished in the top 11, the same as the season before.
Indeed, had Leicester and Chelsea not swapped scripts beforehand, the storyline would barely have been remarkable at all: just a slightly stronger Spurs than usual replacing a slightly under-par –but still top-five –Manchester United.
In the five seasons between August 2009 and May 2014, the top seven all finished in the top eight places every year, three times filling the top seven. Over the past decade, a historical top-seven club has only finished outside the top eight on six occasions (out of 70 possibilities).
Leicester: hardly minnows
Without wishing to detract from last season’s extraordinary Premier League success, the narrative went a little overboard in its illustration of Leicester as historical nobodies.
The honours list might be modest but the Foxes are certainly top-flight material over the EPL era; over the entire post-war period (see graphic below) they have been steady middleweights, spending 35 seasons in the top flight and all but one of the other 35 in the second tier. Their aggregate post-war finishing position is similar to Sunderland, one of the clubs most frequently described as being underachieving.
Indeed, had it not been for the intervention of a certain Brian Clough in the 1970s, Leicester would be head and shoulders above both of their East Midlands rivals. As it is, they currently share equal billing with Nottingham Forest, although events of the past 12 months put them in a strong position to kick on in the next 20-year cycle to leave their two nearest rivals trailing in their wake.
Wolves: the ultimate sleeping giant
They might have done very little of note for the past 35 years but an objective study like this, even when weighted in favour of recency, serves only to illustrate what a big club Wolves really are – and why their supporters tend to be more disgruntled by mediocrity than most.
After the war, the Black Country outfit spent 33 of the next 36 seasons competing in the top flight, winning three titles under Stan Cullis in the 1950s, and completing top-six finishes on 11 other occasions between 1947 and 1963. But not since 1980 have they hit their par ranking of tenth in the country.
With the club now owned by a Chinese conglomerate pledging to invest the sort of money which could catapult the Old Gold back into the big time, younger generations might wish to make a mental note of this track record before embarrassing themselves with the usual jibes about a lack of class or history...
Sheffield Wednesday: the forgotten club
Football fans of a certain age might be shocked to see Sheffield Wednesday residing outside the top 20, but it just goes to show how quickly time flies – the Owls have been absent from the Premier League for 16 years now.
Of the 23 clubs who have totted up three decades or more at the highest level since the war, only Wolves (19 seasons, 1983-2003) have experienced a longer top-flight exile. The Steel City club have also attracted foreign investment, though, and hopes are high that Carlos Carvalhal will be the man who finally put an end to the prolonged drought.
Geography matters
People have often speculated about what would happen if the two Sheffield clubs merged, as if the combined might of Wedensday and United would create a new superpower to rival the big clubs in Manchester, Merseyside or London. But such speculation might be missing the point.
Outside of the six biggest regions – the aforementioned three, West Midlands, North-East and East Midlands – only Leeds and Stoke (with respect to Port Vale) are stand-alone entities in the top overall 20. After that, you’ve got the Sheffield duo neck and neck, followed by Lancashire rivals Burnley, Bolton and Blackburn.
Clubs who share geographical hotbeds are generally positioned close to one another in the rankings, and usually higher than one-city clubs of similar size and potential. It stands to reason: even when league titles or promotions aren’t up for grabs, local pride drives them on to outdo their rivals.
Hampshire: the unhealthiest of rivalries
As if to hammer the point home, look no further than Southampton and Portsmouth, who really need to spend more time together. The two clubs (combined) have spent 60 seasons in the top flight and 59 seasons in the second tier, yet bizarrely they’ve only spent six seasons in the same division over the past 60 years.
They sit 23rd and 29th respectively in the historical chart and naturally ridicule each other by virtue of which team is competing at the higher level in any given era. Conversely, they would arguably both be comfortable top 20 clubs if they crossed paths more often.
More infographics • More analysis
More features every day at FourFourTwo.comfeatureSat, 06 Aug 2016 06:52:53 +0000Kenneth Ho610104 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWalsall 1 Barnsley 3 (agg 1-6): Visitors cruise into League One play-off finalBarnsley secured a 6-1 aggregate win over Walsall in the League One play-off semi-final after their 3-1 victory on Thursday.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/walsall-1-barnsley-3-agg-1-6-visitors-cruise-league-one-play-final
Barnsley booked their place in the League One play-off final with an emphatic 6-1 aggregate win over Walsall following Thursday's 3-1 victory at the Bescot Stadium.
Paul Heckingbottom's side sealed a 3-0 victory in the first leg and doused any hopes of a comeback for the hosts after just 17 minutes, when Adam Hammill turned in from close range despite Walsall appeals for offside.
Walsall put in a brave display as they chased a goal to give them the slenderest lifeline, but on-loan Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher fired in from Sam Winnall's cross to double the lead just past the hour mark.
Jordan Cook curled in a sublime effort from distance to give Walsall some consolation for their efforts, but Rico Henry's poor backwards header was punished just four minutes later as Lloyd Isgrove teed up Josh Brownhill for a simple finish.
Barnsley, who scraped into the play-offs ahead of Scunthorpe United on goal difference and finished 10 points behind their opponents in the final table, will face either Bradford City or Millwall in the final.
It will be their second visit to Wembley this season, after they overcame Oxford United 3-2 in the Football League Trophy final last month.
news_articleThu, 19 May 2016 21:17:01 +0000Anonymous575617 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comFootball League Review: Hull and Barnsley close in on WembleyHull City, Barnsley and AFC Wimbledon hold the advantage after the first leg of their respective Football League play-off semi-finals.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/football-league-review-hull-and-barnsley-close-wembley
Hull City moved a step closer to making an immediate return to the Premier League as they secured a 3-0 victory over Derby County in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Saturday.
Abel Hernandez gave the visitors the lead on the half-hour mark with a superb 25-yard strike at the iPro Stadium, taking his tally for the season to 22 goals.
A Jason Shackell own goal then made it 2-0 just before the interval, with Andy Robertson adding a third deep into second-half stoppage time after rounding off a stunning counter-attack with a fine finish.
Barnsley are also strong favourites to reach a Wembley spot after downing Walsall 3-0 in the first-leg of their League One semi-final.
The Yorkshire side, who only clinched a play-off place on the final day of the regular season, took the lead on the stroke of half-time at Oakwell Stadium courtesy of an own goal from Jason Demetriou.
Leading-scorer Sam Winnall then found the net twice in as many minutes early in the second-half as Paul Heckingbottom's men took control of the tie.
AFC Wimbledon, meanwhile, will take a 1-0 lead into the second-leg of their League Two semi-final against Accrington Stanley.
Tom Beere's 93rd-minute goal - his first for the club - proved the difference between the two sides in a nervy clash at Kingsmeadow.
news_articleSat, 14 May 2016 22:22:01 +0000Anonymous573163 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comThe truth behind the play-offs: late charges, relegation-form winners and 20% chaosWhat determines a play-off winner: form, big-match temperament, timing your run or sheer luck? Mike Holden crunches the numbers to bring you the maths behind the climax...Mike Holdenhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/features/truth-behind-play-offs-late-charges-relegation-form-winners-and-20-chaos
Arguably English football's greatest innovation of the past 30 years, the Football League Play-Offs remain unrivalled for drama. Barring a tweak to the away-goals rule, the format hasn’t changed since 1990 – and why would it? The conditions are perfect for ding-dong battles and those breathtaking moments that punctuate the nerve-shredding tension. Year upon year, they deliver.
But so fine are the margins between success and failure, it’s easy to buy into the notion that there’s no rhyme or reason to who goes up and who stays down. “The play-offs are a lottery”: it’s one of football’s biggest cliches and biggest myths. Yes, chance plays a significant part. But the probabilities are never equal.
Over the past 26 seasons, there have been 78 play-off campaigns, involving 312 teams, playing 390 matches. And FFT has scrutinised the data to bring you the underlying patterns that indicate why some teams have a much better chance of promotion than others.
Consider the four participating teams as A, B, C and D (from highest league position to lowest), here’s what you need to know…
80% order, 20% chaos
(Key: Team A is in the highest play-off position, D the lowest. Green: winners, amber: runners-up, red: semi-finalists)
In the early years, a school of thought developed that teams who finished highest would invariably underperform – most probably because, while the sample size remained small, each instance of Team A failing to win promotion was highlighted as an injustice compared to the way things used to be.
In fact, the opposite is true: on the whole, Team A wins promotion roughly twice as often as everybody else. In 78 campaigns, Team A has triumphed 31 times (39.7%) compared with 17, 14 and 16 promotions for the other three teams respectively. Broadly speaking, that’s a 40-20-20-20 distribution. For every five campaigns, Team A will be promoted twice, everybody else once.
The 80/20 principle is another way of framing it, whereby we might conclude that the play-offs are 80% chaos and 20% order. If we take the 40% of Team A successes, you could argue that half of them (20%) are simply the upshot of Team A being overwhelmingly superior, while the other half (20%) are the result of chance (matching the probabilities of triumph for Teams B, C and D). Good news for Brighton, Walsall and Accrington, then.
Previous meetings count for little
Play-off results against teams beaten during the league season. Green: winners in play-off head-to-heads, red: losers
Another popular assumption is that one team has an advantage (be it psychological or tactical) over an opponent if they had the better head-to-head record during the regular season. This year, a prime example in the Championship would be the Derby-Hull semi-final: over the two league games, the Rams have won 6-0 on aggregate.
However, the stats suggest previous results have virtually no bearing. In 188 examples where one team boasted superiority on aggregate over two league games, they replicated that success only 95 times (50.5% – pretty much a coin-toss average).
When you break that data down by team, a more revealing picture begins to emerge. Similarly to the 80/20 principle above, Team A replicates head-to-head success more than 70% of the time, whereas for everyone else that figure is consistently around 40% – in other words, they're actually more likely to lose than to win. So while Team A might be expected to repeat their triumph over the opponents they bested during the regular season, for Teams B, C and D a positive head-to-head might be considered a bad omen. Not so fast, Derby fans.
NEXT: How important are form and big-match pedigree– and how late interlopers do well in the finalDisastrous form is no disaster
Another statement made so often that it has passed into accepted wisdom is that it's always the team in the best form that wins the play-offs. The figures show that it's simply not true– and there have been examples of the opposite being the case.
There’s no doubt psychology plays a significant role at the end of a gruelling 46-game season, but too much is made of ‘momentum’ – a concept that’s almost impossible to capture by any form of objective measurement. There is a pattern of success in accordance with late flourishes, but the difference is so slight as to be rendered almost meaningless.
How form over last 10 games affects play-off success. Green: winners, amber: runners-up, red: semi-finalists
Intriguingly, though, there’s a small sample where teams have effectively gone into the play-offs in relegation form – taking fewer than 10 points from the final 10 matches – and they’ve performed no worse than chance. Of the 12 such instances, three teams have been promoted (Blackburn 1992, Grimsby 1998, Crystal Palace 2014) and three have finished runners-up.
The obvious explanation here is that expectations become so low as the regular season draws to a close, the pressure on the players is almost non-existent. The prize on offer is no less attractive, yet the ‘no-hopers’ are able to approach their games with freedom.
Not that this has much bearing on this season's hopefuls, none of whom have exactly stumbled into the play-offs: Plymouth are in the worst form with 16 points from the last 30, Brighton and Accrington in fine fettle with 24.
Big-match pedigree matters
How form against promotion rivals affects play-off success. Green: winners, amber: runners-up, red: semi-finalists
A team’s chances of a Wembley promotion are sometimes dismissed on the grounds of inconsistency, where silly results against weaker opposition deem them unreliable. But this isn’t a trait to be overly concerned about here because such teams, by definition, tend to have stronger records against the bigger teams – and that's what really matters in the play-offs.
When measuring teams by their results against the three other play-off contenders and those already promoted via the automatic places, the data shows that there’s a threshold of around 1.7 points per game where the probability of promotion shoots up from 25% to 33% and continues to rise.
On average, three teams will fall into this category every two years and, if we assume that inconsistency results from a lack of intensity or concentration in mundane fixtures, it stands to reason that these teams should invariably make their class advantage tell with focus sharpened in the knockout format.
This season, there are two contenders who have excelled against rivals: Barnsley have averaged 1.9ppg and Pompey 1.75, with Sheffield Wednesday (0.7) and Wimbledon (0.83) doing the worst –during the regular-season six-pointers.
Late interlopers rule (in the end)
How time in the play-off zone affects play-off success. Green: winners, amber: runners-up, red: semi-finalists
Finally, beware of the free spirit. Late interlopers who gatecrash the Play-Offs in the final few weeks of the season appear to have a psychological advantage over those who have wrestled with the pressure of a promotion race for most of the campaign. But curiously, it’s a phenomenon that doesn’t rear its head until the final.
In 52 instances where a team has occupied a play-off berth for fewer than 12 rounds after Christmas, only 23 have actually reached the final (44%). But out of those 23, a staggering 15 (65%) have clinched promotion at the Millennium Stadium or Wembley.
The best explanation, perhaps, is that the positive psychology stemming from this unexpected opportunity counts for little over two legs against superior opposition. But put those teams on the big stage in a one-off showpiece over 90 minutes, and the idea that destiny is somehow pre-ordained in their favour becomes much more relevant. Good news for gatecrashers Barnsley and Wimbledon.
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featureFri, 13 May 2016 01:09:21 +0000Kenneth Ho572249 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comLeague One Review: Barnsley seal play-off spot by stunning Wigan, Burton go up and Blackpool go downIt was a day to savour for Barnsley, who sealed a League One play-off spot despite having been bottom in December.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/league-one-review-barnsley-seal-play-spot-stunning-wigan-burton-go-and-blackpool-go-down
Barnsley rubber-stamped their place in the League One play-offs with a hugely impressive 4-1 victory at champions Wigan Athletic to cap a remarkable turnaround in their season.
Paul Heckingbottom's side – who sat at the foot of the table in December under Lee Johnson – travelled to the DW Stadium knowing the pressure was on to hold on to sixth place and final play-off berth, as they were level on points with seventh-placed Scunthorpe United, who visited mid-table Sheffield United.
And they responded in style to an early setback, with a first-half double from Sam Winnall putting them ahead after Will Grigg edged Wigan – whose title triumph was practically assured by virtue of their vastly superior goal difference over Burton Albion –in front after 10 minutes.
Conor Hourihane added a third early in the second half, before the rampant Tykes added a fourth late on courtesy of a stunning free-kick from Josh Brownhill.
Barnsley's win rendered Scunthorpe's 2-0 success at Bramall Lane nothing more than a scant consolation as they finished seventh on goal difference.
Burton clung on to second spot with a nervy 0-0 draw at Doncaster Rovers, who needed a win to stand any chance of staying up.
Walsall's convincing 5-0 victory at Port Vale meant Nigel Clough's team would have slipped to third on goal difference had they lost at the Keepmoat Stadium, but instead they are able to celebrate back-to-back promotions.
Fleetwood Town made sure of their League One status by beating bottom-placed Crewe Alexandra 2-0, while Blackpool – who lost 5-1 at Peterborough United – go down to League Two.
Millwall and Bradford City will meet in the play-offs after finishing fourth and fifth respectively. The Lions scored a 98th-minute penalty to beat Gillingham 2-1, while the Bantams ended the regular season with a 2-0 victory over Chesterfield.
Elsewhere, Bury beat Southend United 3-2 at Gigg Lane, Coventry City won 2-0 at Oldham Athletic, already relegated Colchester United lost 2-1 at home to Rochdale and Swindon Town defeated Shrewsbury Town 3-0.
news_articleSun, 08 May 2016 14:17:01 +0000Anonymous570181 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comFootball League Review: Burnley earn promotion back to the Premier LeagueSam Vokes scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over QPR which secured Burnley's return to the Premier League for next season.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/football-league-review-burnley-earn-promotion-back-premier-league
Burnley achieved promotion back to the Premier League with a 1-0 Championship victory over QPR at Turf Moor on Monday.
Sean Dyche's team are the first side to achieve automatic promotion this season, bouncing straight back into the top flight having been relegated last term, courtesy of Sam Vokes' second-half header.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton was the busier of the two goalkeepers during the first half, but the hosts stepped up their efforts following the interval.
Scott Arfield and Andre Gray went close soon after the restart, but Vokes made the breakthrough when he nodded home from David Jones' free-kick in the 61st minute.
Alejandro Faurlin rattled the upright from 20 yards but QPR were unable to spoil the party for Burnley, with the home faithful invading the pitch following the final whistle.
"It's magic you know, it's a great feeling. Getting that goal was a relief around the place and you could feel it," Vokes told Sky Sports.
The door for Burnley to get promoted was opened by Brighton and Hove Albion's 1-1 draw at home against Derby County earlier in the day.
James Wilson cancelled out Andi Weimann's effort in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but Brighton, who saw centre-back Lewis Dunk dismissed for earning two yellow cards, must beat second-placed Middlesbrough on the last day to earn automatic promotion.
"We've risen to most challenges this season, this will be another big challenge, but one we're looking forward to," Chris Hughton told Sky Sports.
In League One, Walsall kept their hopes of going up without the need for play-off participation alive by defeating Fleetwood Town 3-1.
Walsall must win away against Port Vale on Sunday and hope Burton Albion lose at Doncaster Rovers with a three-goal swing in goal difference. Fleetwood will remain in the division if they match the results of Blackpool and Doncaster next weekend.
news_articleMon, 02 May 2016 18:17:01 +0000Anonymous567579 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comFootball League Review: Wigan confirm promotion to ChampionshipSheffield Wednesday booked their place in the Championship play-offs, while Wigan Athletic confirmed their promotion from League One.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/football-league-review-wigan-confirm-promotion-championship
Wigan Athletic confirmed their return to the Championship, Burton Albion took another step towards promotion and Sheffield Wednesday booked their play-off place on Saturday.
Accrington Stanley and Oxford United both won to move closer to promotion from League Two and Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool slipped closer to the drop in League One.
Chris McCann put Wigan ahead after a goalless first half at Bloomfield Road, Yanic Wildschut hit a brace and Will Grigg added a fourth to seal a convincing 4-0 win against Blackpool, who will be relegated for the second successive season if Fleetwood Town beat Walsall on Monday.
Burton required an injury-time winner from Tom Naylor to seal their 2-1 home win against Gillingham, whose play-off hopes in the third tier were dealt a major blow.
Wigan are effectively League One champions as they are three points clear of Burton with a game left and have a vastly superior goal difference.
Doncaster Rovers are almost certain to be demoted to League Two after they were beaten 3-1 at already-relegated Crewe Alexandra in a game delayed for half an hour by stormy weather.
In the Championship, Wednesday secured their play-off spot with a 3-0 win against Cardiff City at Hillsborough, Gary Hooper scoring a brace for the hosts. Hull City lost 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers.
Stanley are on the brink of promotion to League One after Mark Hughes' late goal earned a 1-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers, leaving John Coleman's side two points clear of fourth-placed Bristol Rovers, who crushed relegated York City 4-1.
Chris Maguire and Liam Sercombe were on target in a 2-0 victory for Oxford, keeping Michael Appleton's men above Bristol Rovers, but the League Two promotion race will go down to the final day.
AFC Wimbledon sealed their play-off place with a 0-0 draw at Stevenage, with Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle already confirmed in League Two's top seven.
news_articleSat, 30 Apr 2016 18:17:01 +0000Anonymous566822 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comFootball League Review: Walsall close in on top two, Portsmouth seal play-off placeKieron Morris and Rico Henry ensured Walsall can still snatch automatic promotion from League One as they beat Shrewsbury Town 2-1.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/football-league-review-walsall-close-top-two-portsmouth-seal-play-place
Walsall moved back to within three points of League One's automatic promotion places on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over struggling Shrewsbury Town.
A 4-0 defeat to Bradford City on Saturday had enabled Millwall to climb above Jonathan Whitney's side, but Walsall bounced back with a comfortable win in their game in hand.
First-half goals from Kieron Morris and Rico Henry sealed all three points to give Walsall hope of a top-two finish with two games to go.
In the Championship, Hull City made it five games unbeaten as mid-table Brentford were brushed aside 2-0.
A Harlee Dean own goal had given Steve Bruce's side the lead just after the half-hour mark and Mohamed Diame doubled their advantage on the brink of half-time – albeit after Adama Diomande had missed a penalty for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth secured their play-off place in League Two thanks to a 1-0 triumph over AFC Wimbledon.
Michael Smith struck the decisive goal as the 2008 FA Cup winners moved nine points clear of eighth-placed Cambridge United with two to play, but Wimbledon still need a win to guarantee their spot.
news_articleTue, 26 Apr 2016 21:52:01 +0000Anonymous565100 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comFootball League Review: York City, Colchester United and MK Dons relegatedYork City, Colchester United and MK were all suffered relegation on Saturday as the Football League heads towards its climax.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/my/news/football-league-review-york-city-colchester-united-and-mk-dons-relegated
MK Dons were relegated from the Championship, Colchester United dropped into League Two and York City will play non-League football next season after Saturday's results.
A 4-1 defeat at home to Brentford meant the Dons' stay in the second tier lasted just one season, with Karl Robinson's side joining Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic in League One next term.
Colchester were demoted after their 3-0 home loss against promotion-chasing Burton Albion, while York's 3-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley saw them drop out of the Football League just four years after winning promotion.
In the Championship, Middlesbrough's 0-0 draw against Ipswich Town and Brighton and Hove Albion's win at already relegated Charlton Athletic means the top three have 87 points apiece.
It is Burnley – winners on Friday against Preston North End – who lead on goal difference, with Boro second and Brighton third.
A last-gasp Cardiff City win over Bolton Wanderers kept the Welsh club's play-off hopes alive, with sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday having drawn 1-1 at fellow high-flyers Derby County.
Hull City, meanwhile, stayed fourth after a 2-2 draw against Leeds United.
League One leaders Wigan Athletic all but confirmed their promotion to the Championship by beating Southend United 4-1 at home, with Will Grigg scoring a first-half brace.
Scunthorpe United's 2-0 win at Peterborough United moved them to within two points of the play-offs, where Barnsley occupy the final spot following a goalless draw at fellow top-six hopefuls Sheffield United.
Doncaster Rovers maintained their survival hopes by beating Coventry City 2-0 at home, while Blackpool's 0-0 draw against Fleetwood Town keeps them in the relegation zone.
The fight for promotion from League Two intensified as Accrington's win was coupled with victories for Oxford United and Bristol Rovers, while Plymouth Argyle were stunned by rock-bottom Dagenham and Redbridge, who prevailed 3-2 at Home Park.
AFC Wimbledon's fifth consecutive win a – 1-0 at home to Leyton Orient – moved them a step closer to wrapping up a play-off spot, with eighth-placed Cambridge United five points back despite a 2-1 win at manager Shaun Derry's former club Notts County.
news_articleSat, 23 Apr 2016 18:12:01 +0000Anonymous563826 at https://www.fourfourtwo.com